Bellarine gets Wetland Education Centre

News

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green yesterday (5 February 2017) attended the official opening of the Connewarre Wetland Centre on the Bellarine Peninsula in a boost for wetland conservation and hunters alike.

The Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve incorporates wetlands that are home to more than 150 bird species, and the Centre will play an important education role by promoting wetland conservation and restoration.

The official opening included guided wetland tours, educational activities for families and retrieving dog demonstrations.

Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve is one Victoria’s most significant wetlands and plays an important role in maintaining the ecological diversity of the Bellarine Peninsula.

Wetland habitat is fast diminishing across the state, and State Game Reserves are critical in providing habitat for a range of wildlife, including threatened species.

The Reserve is considered a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar convention, and the unique and diverse habitats that comprise Lake Connewarre are an important breeding ground for birds and wildlife.

Wetlands Environmental Taskforce volunteers from Field and Game Australia have been working hard to restore the wetlands outside the hunting season and ensure they are preserved for future generations.

The Reserve offers Victorians a variety of leisure activities, such as picnicking, fishing and duck hunting, and is an important player in the Bellarine Peninsula’s tourism economy.

Connewarre Wetland Centre will help support sustainable hunting in Victoria by promoting responsible hunting and educating hunters about respecting species and ecosystems.

Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green saud: “Since Victoria’s State Game Reserve system was introduced, hunters have helped maintain and improve the natural habitats at 200 sites, totalling over 60,000 hectares across the state.”

“The Andrews Labor Government released its Sustainable Hunting Action Plan in December last year – we’re making sure that people who want to hunt can do so in a safe, responsible and a sustainable way.”

Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said: "The Andrews Labor Government is supporting an internationally significant wetland on Geelong's doorstep, supporting the ongoing survival of our state's remarkable wetland wildlife."

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